What does abstractively mean?
Abstractively is a formal adverb meaning that something is done abstractly: conceptually, theoretically, or without immediate reference to concrete examples. It is especially associated with philosophy, criticism, mathematics, and analytical discussion, where broad principles or general relationships are considered apart from particular cases. For example, a writer may analyze a social problem abstractively before testing the resulting ideas against real situations. The word is formed from abstractive, an adjective related to abstract and abstraction, with the standard adverbial suffix -ly. Although its meaning is straightforward, abstractively is uncommon in ordinary English; abstractly is the usual and more idiomatic choice, while conceptually may be preferable when the emphasis is on ideas as opposed to concrete detail. The term can therefore lend a distinctly scholarly tone to writing, but using it where a simpler adverb would suffice may sound unnecessarily emphatic or affected.
adverbIn an abstract or conceptual manner, without particular examples or practical details.
- In an abstract or conceptual manner, especially without reference to particular instances or practical applications.
"The philosopher discussed the ethical problem abstractively before considering particular cases."
"The theory describes the relationships abstractively, leaving individual applications for later analysis."
"She initially examined the policy abstractively rather than focusing on individual cases."
The more familiar abstractly does almost all the talking, but its formal sibling abstractively gives philosophical prose a more distinctly scholarly air.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does abstractively come from?
Abstractively was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to abstractive, which in turn belongs to the family of English abstract and abstraction. These words ultimately derive from Latin abstractus, meaning “drawn away,” formed from the prefix ab- and trahere, “to draw.” Latin words associated with the same root include abstruse, meaning “drawn out, difficult to understand,” and extract, meaning something drawn out.
How abstractively is actually used
This is a rare, formal, and chiefly intellectual adverb. In most contexts, abstractly or conceptually will sound more natural.
Easily confused with abstractively
Both describe a conceptual treatment of a subject, but abstractly is the more common and natural adverb, while abstractively is a rarer formal alternative.